“Already done, my lady. Good night.”
Alice went to the basin and washed. Giff did the same. They crawled back into bed cuddled in each other’s arms.
His valet and her dresser woke them the next morning. Betram brought tea and toast. “I was told you will be able to break your fast on the ship.”
Alice brushed her teeth and washed her face. She was glad she had given herself a through washing the previous evening.
She liked the design of their apartments. A parlor was the first room one entered. That led to the bedroom, which was flanked by dressing rooms and bath chambers. It made a great deal of sense. A bright yellow carriage gown was laid out in her dressing room for the morning.
She finished her tea. “Are the trunks downstairs?”
“They are already on the ship,” her dresser said. “They were taken there yesterday.”
Another thing that made sense. Now to brace herself for a full ship of family.
The main part of the house was quiet when they drove away. Giff’s grandfather and the rest of his family must be at the docks already. Alice hoped she and Giff were not running late. “What time is it?” Why was she asking? She had her own watch.
“We have more than enough time to arrive.”
She supposed the ship would not leave without them. They saw Harry’s coach just ahead of them on Piccadilly. Giff glanced back. “Montagu is behind us.”
“Does Harry know which dock?”
Giff shook his head. “We’ll take the lead when we get closer to the area.”
A half an hour saw them to Wapping where the New London Docks were located. Harry’s coach slowed and moved over to allow she and Giff to pass. The ship was much larger than she thought it would be. “What type of ship is it?”
Giff helped her from the coach. “A four-masted barque.”
“Even though it’s been fitted as a yacht, it also carries guns and cargo.” There were a few men on ship, but she did not see any of Giff’s family. “I wonder where everyone is?”
He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her hair. “I have no better idea than you do. Let’s enjoy the quiet while we can.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR
A man in a pristine blue uniform approached them. “Giff, it’s good to see you again. All the luggage is on board, stowed in your cabins. Your servants arrived not long ago.”
They had to have left when her maid carried out her bag with the last things in it.
Giff turned to her. “My love, may I introduce Captain Ewan Dewar, a cousin.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain.” She held out her hand, and he bowed.
“Ewan, please, my lady. It’s a pleasure.” He glanced at Giff. “I will meet the rest of the passengers once we are underway.”
“Yes, of course.” Giff waved to her sisters and brothers-in-laws. “Come along. We need to cast off.”
The captain accompanied them up a long wooden board. “Thank you for sending the luggage yesterday. It was helpful.”
Alice scanned the ship. “Where is everyone else?”
Captain Dewar grinned. “They are traveling back to Scotland by coach. The laird sent the vehicles down. He thought you might want some time to yourselves before you are beset by the family again.” He helped her aboard then glanced at the dock. Her sisters and their husbands were waiting to board “Who are your guests?”
“My sisters and their husbands. We are all recently wed. You can hear the whole story when you have more time.”
He welcomed the others onboard and gave the command to cast off. Alice as well as her sisters and brothers-in-law waited on deck until they were near Greenwich.
Giff’s stomach growled. “Ewan, is there anything to eat?”
